About Me

I am a person with varied interests.
Music is my breath and though I like all kinds of music, I am enamoured of the variety and the depth of Indian Classical music.As far as Film music is concerned, I love Old songs and ILaiyaraaja-whom I consider as one of the best composers in the world- is my favourite composer.
I love travelling and meeting new people . A lover of nature, I prefer those long walks.

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Wednesday, 4 March 2009

ILaiyaraaja-The Wonder!

Out of the 12 Vaishnavite saints-called as Aazhwars- Nammaazhwar is considered to be very special.

The 12 Aazhwars composed verses in Tamizh totaling 4000 in number and this compiled work is called as the ‘Naalaayira Divya Prabhandam’. This treatise is considered to be very sacred..

But is not the Bhakti element alone that attracts Literature lovers to this work. The Language and the Description make this a poetic work making even Non believers read and appreciate.

Let us go back to Nammaazhwar now.

Out of the 4000 verses, he composed 1296 verses-about 32%.He composed these under four different headings-Thiruviruthham,Thiruvaasiriyam,Periya Thiruvanthaathi, Thiruvaaimozhi- and these are considered to give the essence of Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva Vedas respectively.

In one of his verses, he says, ‘He is present here if we believe He exists.He is present here without any form if we believe He does not exist.’ Being’ and ‘Not Being’ are his characteristics.’

On this auspicious day, it gives me immense pleasure to talk about a person whom I consider as my Guru.

He is divine like Nammaazhwar and is a wonder.

Luckily, for this Nammaazhwaar, there are lots of Madurakavi Aazhwaars..

He made me realise what music is..

He made me understand Music.He made me appreciate Music.

He taught me the nuances through his compositions.

He made me develop interest in many good things in life.

One of my objectives in life is to propagate his compositions (many unknown) and try and analyse the finer elements in his music. My real journey began more than one year back when I started sharing my observations with like- minded people.

Today, I am taking up a composition that is very special to me. Not just to me but to many of my friends who have listened to this song.

I consider this composition as one of his masterpieces.

It is ‘Engengo Sellum’ from ‘Pattakkathi Bhairavan’(1979).

This composition is based on Sudhha Dhanyasi.

The structure is:Sa ga2 ma1 pa ni2 Sa/Sa ni2 pa ma ga2 sa.

Since the interludes are in Western Classical style, the Ragam tends to deviate but this makes it more beautiful!

Let us now look at this marvel.

The Composition starts with the Guitar giving feather like touches. The Violin Orchestra now gives the melodic stimulation. The Music that follows fondles us!

The Pallavi is full of deft phrasings and is ingeniously structured.What does one say about the voices of SPB and Janaki. Sweetness personified.

The first Interlude pulses with energy. The Violins play with vivacity and suddenly we see the magic. The Double Bass makes its entry as the Violins change track and continue to play. It is the beautiful blending of delicate and sonorous sounds.

We are wonder- struck by the potency, intensity and the glow!

But this is only the beginning.

The Charanam is ornate with subtleties.

It starts with a long sojourn in ‘Aaaa..’ followed by ‘Naan KaaNbathu Un Kolame..’.As we begin to lose ourselves, it is magic again.’Angum.. Ingum… Engum… ‘ reverberate.

The echo-like effect is produced by using three different pairs of Swaras continuosly- gapa.. nipa… Sapa..

As if this is not enough, we see the same effect in the last line ‘Nee..Nee..Nee’ .

Raaja-The Magician!

Raaja-The Wonder!

The second interlude has relishable twists and turns.

We see the beauteous landscape with the sun painting the sky at dawn.

The Sun now slowly spreads its golden rays.

We see the small raindrops falling from the heavens.

We see the iridescent Rainbow hues.

As the Guitar is played, we see the delectable converging of a cadence of colours.

The Stones in the Mountains turn into beautiful Flowers.

It is thrilling.

It is spectacular.

This composition has purposeful innovative phrasings laced with clarity.